Conyers council adopts qualifying fees, requests annexations and CID legislation, and approves supermarket alcohol-license change

The Conyers City Council approved a set of short, procedural items at its Jan. 20 meeting, adopting resolutions that set candidate qualifying fees, request annexations and zoning changes from the state legislature, and seek authority to create a community improvement district. The council also approved an alcohol-license holder change for a local supermarket.

Resolution 7-47: qualifying fees The council adopted Resolution 7-47 to set qualifying fees for the 2025 municipal election. The qualifying fee for the mayor was set at $306 and the qualifying fee for council posts (City Council District 1 and District 2 Post 1) was set at $252; the fees are 3% of the positions’ annual salaries. The city clerk said the fees must be set by Feb. 1 and will be published as required.

Resolution 7-49: annexation request to state delegation By voice vote the council adopted Resolution 7-49 requesting that Conyers’ local delegation to the Georgia General Assembly introduce and enact legislation in 2025 to annex about 26 parcels of land that are “pockets” within the city and to assign zoning classifications. Council discussion cited goals of clarifying jurisdictional boundaries, improving 911/public-safety response, and unifying architectural and code-enforcement requirements across the affected areas.

Resolution 7-50: community improvement district (CID) The council approved Resolution 7-50 asking the local delegation to introduce legislation that would authorize creation of a community improvement district wholly within the city limits. Council members said the resolution would only allow property owners to opt in and that subsequent steps would be required before a district could be formed; the resolution creates the municipal groundwork for future business-led governance of any CID.

Alcohol license: Public Supermarket #1411 The council approved a new beer-and-wine retail license holder and a change of license holder name from David Whatley to Harim Diallo for Public Supermarket #1411 at 2159 Highway 20. The clerk recorded the motion to approve and the council approved by voice vote.

Citizens’ comment One resident, John Slaughter, used the public-comment period to request that the council consider lifting the local ban on air rifles within city limits to address a squirrel population problem. He said he was unsure whether the restriction is a local law or otherwise; council members acknowledged the comment and said staff would follow up as appropriate.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 7-47 (set qualifying fees): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote; individual roll-call votes not recorded. Key details: mayor fee $306; council district fee $252. - Resolution 7-49 (request annexation legislation): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote; individual roll-call votes not recorded. Key details: requests annexation and zoning of ~26 parcels to resolve jurisdictional “pockets.” - Resolution 7-50 (request CID legislation): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote; individual roll-call votes not recorded. Key details: seeks enabling legislation so business property owners may opt in to form a CID. - Alcohol license for Public Supermarket #1411 (name change to Harim Diallo): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote; individual roll-call votes not recorded.

Clerk’s and staff notes The city clerk reviewed public-comment rules before the citizen comment period and said staff would contact speakers after the meeting if follow-up was required. The city manager reminded council of an employee meeting and award announcements scheduled for Jan. 24.